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The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party and others from participation in the 2027 general elections over alleged constitutional violations.
Judge Peter Odo Lifu issued the order on Monday while delivering judgment in a lawsuit filed by a group of former lawmakers in the country.
The decision, if it comes into effect, will impact former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is the presidential candidate of the ADC, and Governor Ademola Adeleke, the gubernatorial candidate of the Accord party in the upcoming elections in Osun State.
The lawsuit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026 was initiated by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and several political parties, including ADC, Action Alliance, APP, Accord Party, and Zenith Labor Party.
In granting the prayers of the litigants, the court ordered INEC to cancel the registration of the political party for violating article 225 of the constitution.
The plaintiffs are of the view that the five political parties listed as defendants in this case consistently do not meet the constitutional criteria necessary to maintain their registration.
The former legislators stressed that requirements include winning at least 25 percent of the vote in a state during a presidential election or securing at least one elective seat at the national, state, or local level of government.
They told the court that the ADC and four other parties performed poorly in both the 2023 general elections and the by-elections organized by INEC, thereby failing to win seats at all major levels of government.
The litigants insist that the existence of ADC and the other defendants as recognized political parties is unlawful and undermines the integrity of the country’s electoral system.
